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All time favorite games and most awaited games are back again this summer. The 2016, Summer Olympics officially known as Games of the XXXI Olympiad, and generally known as Rio 2016 are the major international multi-sports event in the tradition of Olympic Games governed by the International Olympic Committee are going to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from August, 3 to August 21, 2016 beginning with preliminary competition in football on Aug 3 2016.

A record number of countries participate in a record number of sports. More than 15,000 athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) are registered to take part, including first-time entrants Kosovo and South Sudan. The games will feature with 28 Olympic sports including rugby sevens and golf, with 306 sets of medals. Rugby sevens and Golf are added by the International Olympic Committee in 2009. All the sports events are going to take place at 33 venues in the host city and at five venues in the cities of Sao Paulo; Brazil's largest city, Belo Horizonte, Salvador, Brasília (Brazil's capital), and Manaus.

This is going to be the first Summer Olympic Games under the IOC presidency of Thomas Bach. The host city, Rio de Janeiro was announced at the 121st IOC Session held in Copenhagen, Denmark, on October 2, 2009. Rio will turn out to be the first South American city to host the Summer Olympics. These Olympiad games are the first games to be held in a Portuguese-speaking country; and the primary to be held entirely during the host country's winter season (the 2000 games began on September, 15 for 5 days before the Southern Hemisphere's spring equinox), the first since 1968 to be held in Latin America, and the opening since 2000 (and 3rd overall) to be started in the Southern Hemisphere.

There were many controversies marked to lead-up these games, and this is because of the instability of the country’s federal government, as well as the safety and health concerns surrounding with the Zika virus and significant pollution in the Guanabara Bay. The other reasons like doping scandal involving Russia, which has affected its athletes to participate in these games.

The process of Bidding

The process of bidding for Olympics is not that easy for many countries and for 2016 summer Olympic Games this process was officially launched on May 16, 2007; and the first step for each city was to submit the application to the IOC – International Olympic Committee by September 13, 2007, to confirm their bid. Four cities were shortlisted on June 4, 2008; Chicago, Rio De Janeiro, Madrid and Tokyo (which hosted the 1964 Summer Olympics and will host again in 2020).

After many restrictions the final voting was held on October 2, 2009, in Copenhagen with Madrid and Rio de Janeiro stood as favorites to land the games excluding Tokyo and Chicago from the list. The lead held and Rio de Janeiro was announced as the host for Summer Olympics 2016.

2016- National Olympic Committees Participating

Venues of Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics 2016

2016 Summer Olympics Schedule

Torch Relay

The volleyball player Fabiana Claudino will start the events with torch relay in Brasília.

The Olympic flame was lit at the temple of Hera in Olympia on April 21, 2016, with the traditional start of the Greek phase of the torch relay. On April, 27 the flame was handed over to the Brazilian organizers at a ceremony at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens. There was a brief stop made in Switzerland to visit the IOC headquarters and the Olympic Museum in Lausanne as well as the United Nations Office at Geneva.

The torch relay began its Brazilian journey on 3 May at the capital Brasília, visiting more than 300 Brazilian cities; including all the 26 state capitals of the Brazilian Federal District. The last part to be held in the city of Rio de Janeiro lighting the cauldron of the 2016 Summer Olympics opening ceremony on August 5, 2016.

Ticketing

The ticket prices were announced on September16, 2014, and all of which will be sold in Brazilian Reals (BRL). A total of 7.5 million tickets are sold; and 200,000 tickets are less compared to the 2012 Summer Olympics, because of many arenas size. Ticket prices range start from BRL 40 for many events to BRL 4,600. Whereas, the street events such as road cycling, race walk, and the marathon can be watched along their routes for free.

The Games - Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony of 2016 Summer Olympics Parade of Nations will take place at the Maracanã Stadium on 5 August 2016.

Thinking to start a book club? Then just follow these basic steps to good books, good talks, and good eats. I am little excited about today’s post. This is because, I have been a part of a book club for a year now, but my group has actually met even longer than that. I can say that it’s pretty much the best, and instead of fizzling for years for too many book clubs, you can have your own which can be better than in years coming.

To make your book club interesting, first, make sure that you have truly remarkable people you are more interested in books. Part of the success of our book club is due to the fact that it was filled with smart, curious and yet interesting people who happen to love books and talk about them. There are some of my closest friends, but I have to say that I think part of the group’s success is also due to some simple tips that helped us to sustain a large book club. Let us learn about the tips which will help you to make a better book club and yet, how to even make it thrive.

What kind of book club?

First, decide what kind of book club you want to start and on a club orientation part also: Whether it will somewhere between social or academic; once you make this decision at the outset, you'll know who to invite and what books to read.

What kind of books?

Every book gives us some sort of information we will be looking out for. But the most important thing while starting a book club is to think about the books you enjoy—in terms of genre and level of difficulty; then consider a mix of genres. Next, diverge your reading by moving between more challenging works and those on the lighter side.

What about members?

Number— It’s not that important that you have big numbers in the initial stage only, but having a decent number will make you happy. So try to have at least 8 to 16 members and once you grow popular in your circle, you will have to grab more numbers. If you have above five then it’s enough to start a discussion on any topic.

Word to the astute: Have people with similar reading styles; s this will help your group to enjoy reading and sharing ideas.

Invite friends—this helps you to involve your friends and introduce them to other devoted readers; ask each of them to invite 1 or more. It's not important for everyone to know one another and in fact, it's fun if you don't. After you meet a couple of times, you can grow the club at your own pace.

Online— as this is new to your area and you don't know people; you can slowly share your Book Clubs to other groups through Meetup.com.

How often and when you should meet?

This is again an important thing to do, pick a schedule and stick with it. This can be once in a month or as your members wish to meet.

How Often & when will depend on the books you choose, and the time can be anytime depending on your club members availability. Try avoiding meeting at nights due to driving issues and safety concerns.

Where should we meet?

You can meet in Homes, public libraries, churches, cafes and restaurants. All make good meeting places.

What about food?

You have to ask your members and decide if you want to eat at home or out in restaurants? If at home, do you want full meals or something lighter with cheese, dessert & coffee?

Home Meetings— we can see some clubs hosts do all the cooking, and the members don't have to prepare a dish every time the meeting rolls out. You can follow this or as other club do you can ask other members to share the cooking and bring some dish.

Book Club Recipes— which means, many clubs love to match their food with the book there are reading; for example if you are reading about Italy they you may try having Italian food, this is one way fun and you will have knowledge about their traditions and taste also.

What should we call ourselves?

Give your club a Name — Cal your club with a great name which makes the identity; here are some best names; Brookville Book Babes, Red Hat Readers, New York Literary Lions. Or simply name with your street name or city name, even that works.

How do we keep in touch?

Set out monthly meetings and send the reminders via email, Twitter, or Facebook. Start your own blog sites or use Facebook or Pinterest to connect your members and highlight their book selections.

Keeping Recollections

Maintain a club journal, a scrapbook or a 3-ring binder which will help you to track your book selections, discussion highlights, and members' opinions. This will especially helpful to bring new members up to speed. Share your photos of special events and gatherings.

Community Sharing

Start collecting dues for a scholarship program or to help an annual literacy at local schools. You can also purchase books for your local libraries or schools, and even become members to help tutoring programs. Through community involvement you not only make your book club popular or recognized but also help your own community.

The International Day of Friendship was not new; apparently, the concept came from the first greeting card industry back in 1930, when the founder of Hallmark cards, Joyce Hall proposed a friendship. He wanted it to be marked by the people sending the wishes to each other. Perhaps because of its commercial partiality, the idea met with some consumer confrontation and had died out by 1940s. Then it was again proclaimed in 2011, by the UN General Assembly with a hope that friendship between countries, peoples, cultures and individuals can instigate peace efforts and build bridges between communities. The resolution (A/RES/65/275) places particular importance on involving young people, as prospect leaders, in community activities which include different cultures and promote international understanding and respect for diversity.

The Day is also proposed to shore up the goals and objectives of the declaration and program of Action on a Culture of Peace and the International Decade for Non-Violence for the Children of the World (2001-2010).

To mark the International Day of Friendship the UN encourages governments, international organizations and civil society groups to hold events, activities, and initiatives that contribute to the efforts of the international community towards promoting a dialogue among civilizations, solidarity, mutual understanding and reconciliation.

Some of the South American countries have been celebrating the idea of world friendship for years now, especially Paraguay. This concept is said to have been first proposed by Dr. Artemio Brachio when he was having dinner with friends on the River Paraguay in 1958, and the World Friendship Crusade resulted from that meeting. This foundation stressed friendship among all people of whatever race, religion, or color; and the idea spread all over the world largely through the Internet, and has now become very well-liked in countries such as India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.

The World Friendship Crusade went on a campaign of its own to support the United Nations to recognize such a day. With the recognition, the governments, civil groups, and all international organizations in all countries are positive to plan activities and events that will unite citizens in an effort to bring people of all beliefs and color together in international and lasting friendship.

The UN calls for the International Day of Friendship to be celebrated on every July 30 in a way to promote a “dialogue among civilizations” to bring “solidarity, mutual understanding and reconciliation” to all nations.

Happy International Day of Friendship!!!

Timeline: Amelia Earhart, 1897-1937

July 24, 1897 — A 20th Century Childhood

Amelia's Early Life

Amelia Mary Earhart is born in Atchison, Kansas, to parents Amy Otis and Edwin Stanton Earhart. She has a sister, Muriel, who is born two years later. Amelia lives primarily with her maternal grandparents in Atchison during her school years and spends summers with her parents in Kansas City. Despite her grandmother’s disapproval, Amelia spends her free time roaming the outdoors, riding imaginary horses, sledding, climbing trees and hunting.

Year 1908

Amelia rejoins her parents in Des Moines, Iowa, where she sees an airplane for the first time at the Iowa State Fair and later recalls being unimpressed as it was a thing of rusty wire with wood and looked not at all interesting. Until a decade later at a stunt-flying exhibition, that Amelia's passion for flight is awakened.

1910-1915

These are unstable, difficult years for Amelia and her family; as Amelia's grandmother who raised her, dies in 1911 and her father struggles with alcoholism, losing his job and checking into a sanatorium for about a month to rehabilitate. The family moves to St. Paul, Minnesota in 1913. This is the period when Edwin is again unable to recover and find a job; Amy leaves him and moves with Amelia and Muriel to Chicago.

June 1916: Amelia's Education

Amelia graduates from Hyde Park High School in Chicago; she excels in science from Hyde Park only after determining that it had the best science program in that area. But, Amelia had trouble making friends — her yearbook caption reads, “A.E. — the girl in brown who walks alone"

1916-1918

This is the period when Amelia attends the Ogontz School, to finish an exclusive finishing school outside of Philadelphia. For being exceptionally good in her studies Amelia becomes Vice President of her class. She does not graduate; instead, she chooses to be a volunteer at Toronto's Spadina Military Hospital as a nurse for wounded World War I soldiers.

While being in Toronto, she attends a flying exposition with a friend. A stunt pilot dives at Amelia and her friend — “I am sure he said to himself, “watch me make them scamper,"“ Amelia later recalled — but Amelia stands her ground. She points to this incident as a personal beginning — “I did not understand it at that time, but I believe that little red airplane said something to me as it swished by."

Fall 1919-1920

Amelia only attended Columbia University for one semester in 1920, on a pre-med program before leaving for Los Angeles to be with her parents; who have reunited. She-became hooked on flying soon after dropping out of school and in May of1932.

December 28, 1920: Hooked on Flying

Amelia attends an air show in Long Beach with her father; along with pilot Frank Hawk, she takes her first ride in an airplane. “By the time I had got two or three hundred feet off the ground, I knew I had to fly,” she later recalled.

January 3, 1921

Amelia has her first flying lesson with pilot Neta Snook. She worked for a variety of jobs —truck driver, photographer, and stenographer for save money to take these lessons, and soon after six months later she is able to purchase her first airplane, a yellow Kinner Airster biplane she names the Canary.

December 15, 1921

December 15, 1921 is considered a good year for Amelia; as she passes her flying license tests given by the National Aeronautic Association; and flies in the Pacific Coast Ladies' Derby in Pasadena two days later that.

October 22, 1922

Amelia sets an unofficial altitude record for female pilots after flying the Canary to 14,000 feet.

Amelia began participating in public aerial demonstrations and air rodeos. In the fall of 1922, she sets an unofficial altitude record for female pilots after flying the Canary to 14,000 feet. On March 17, 1923, Earhart received top billing for the air rodeo and opening event at Glendale Airport in Glendale, California.

Amelia is issued an international pilot's license by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI ), and became the 16th woman ever to achieve this.

1924: Hiatus from Aviation

After Amelia's parent’s divorce, she drives with her mother to Massachusetts from California along with her sister Muriel. Amelia moves to New York for a short time to reenroll at Columbia, but she soon moves back to Boston where she first starts working as a teacher and then as a social worker at Denison House, teaching English to Syrian and Chinese immigrants.

1927

In 1927, Amelia joins the Boston chapter of the National Aeronautic Association, and is occasionally featured in newspapers as an advocate for female pilots and aviation.

June 17-18, 1928: Stardom Overnight

Amelia Earhart, pilot Wilmer Stultz, and co-pilot and mechanic Louis Gordon depart from Newfoundland in the Friendship, a tri-motor seaplane, they arrived in Wales after 20 hours later and greeted by cheering crowds.

Summer 1928

Amelia published a book about the Friendship flight, 20 Hrs. 40 Min. Amelia teams up with publicist George Putnam to write this book and he quickly promotes her to celebrity status. Amelia goes on a national book tour, where she endorses on products like Lucky Strike cigarettes and Modernaire Earhart Luggage and becomes known as “Lady Lindy” because of her similarity to Charles Lindbergh. She also becomes Aviation Editor for Cosmopolitan magazine.

August 1929

Amelia took the initiative to buy another airplane, a single-engine Lockheed Vega. In the Vega, where she participates in the Women's Air Derby race from Santa Monica to Cleveland, coming in third place.

November 2, 1929

Amelia helps found The Ninety-Nines, Inc., the first organization for women aviators; she became its first president in 1931 and holds that position for two years, during which time she also uses her personality status to endorse the growth of American commercial airlines.

July 5, 1930

Amelia sets the world women's flying speed record of 181.18 miles per hour. Between 1930 and 1935, Amelia will set seven women's speed and distance records.

February 7, 1931

Amelia Earhart marries George Palmer Putnam; Wary of the institution of marriage, Amelia refused George's proposals more than six times before she agrees. She will emphasize that her marriage is a “partnership” with “dual control."

1932

Amelia writes her second book, The Fun of It.

May 20-21, 1932: The Record Setter

Amelia Earhart becomes the first solo woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. She departs from Newfoundland and lands in a pasture in Northern Ireland.

This act earns her the Distinguished Flying Cross from Congress, the Cross of Knight of the Legion of Honor from the French government, and the Gold Medal of the National Geographic Society from President Hoover, for becoming the first woman to ever receive this prestigious award. The site of her landing in Ireland now has a small museum, the Amelia Earhart Centre.

August 24-25, 1932

1933, Amelia visits the White House; from this visit she develops a friendship with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Amelia flies across North America for the second time, breaking her own record with a faster flight time.

1934

Amelia receives the Harmon Trophy for America's Outstanding Airwoman for the third year in a row.

January 11, 1935

Amelia is the first person to fly solo from Honolulu, Hawaii to Oakland, California. This is the year she also fly solo from Los Angeles to Mexico City (April 19-20) and later from Mexico City to New York (May 8). In between flights she works as a career counselor to women at Purdue University.

July 1936: The Round-the-World Flight

Purdue University finances a new plane for Amelia, a Lockhead Electra 10E which she calls the “Flying Laboratory,” though the plane was purchase less for scientific research and more for Amelia's new dream: a “prize - one flight which I most wanted to attempt - a circumnavigation of the globe as near its waistline as could be."

Amelia and her husband George Putnam plan for her world flight, raising money and consulting with advisers, mechanics, and navigators.

March 17, 1937

Amelia and her navigator, Fred Noonan, along with Captain Harry Manning and stunt pilot Paul Mantz, fly the first leg of the trip from Oakland, California to Honolulu, Hawaii in 15 hours and 47 minutes. When they try to continue from Honolulu three days later, the plane ground-loops during take-off and they have to call off the flight.

June 1, 1937

Amelia departs on a second attempt, at the time of departing from Miami, Florida with the plan of traveling from west to east. Fred Noonan is her only crew member on this second flight. They complete nearly 22,000 miles of the flight, stopping in South America, Africa, India, and Lae, New Guinea.

July 2, 1937

Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan depart from Lae; and their destination is Howland Island, a tiny island in the Pacific only 13,200 feet long and 2,650 feet wide. Amelia and Noonan cannot find the island, and they lose radio contact with the Coast Guard cutter Itasca, who can hear that they are lost but cannot return communication. This is the year when they disappear over the Pacific Ocean; and president Roosevelt issues a massive search for Amelia and Noonan, and George Putnam finances his own search until October 1937, but their efforts are unsuccessful.

January 5, 1939

Keep your family safe this summer by following these tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Fun in the Sun & Safety

For under 6 months Babies:

The main recommendations from the AAP to protect you and prevent from harsh sunburn are to avoid sun exposure, dress infants in lightweight long pants, and long-sleeved shirts, and cover with brimmed hats that shade the neck and prevent sunburn. However, when sufficient clothing and shade are not available, make sure that a minimal amount f sun protection cream is applied with at least SPF 15(sun protection factor) to small areas, such as infant’s face, neck, and the back of the hands. When babies get a sunburn, then immediately apply cool compresses to the affected areas; and look for more information on Baby sunburn Prevention tips.

To protect from the sun and its harmful rays, covering up is one thing that is suggested for every age, this not only helps you against harmful ultraviolet radiation but also protects you from the hot sun. Always stay in the shade whenever it is possible and limit your sun exposure during the peak hours between 10 a.m. to 4. p.m.

Wear a hat which is of the 3-inch brim or a bill facing forward, sunglasses that provide 97% -100% protections against both UVA and UVB rays, and clothing which comforts you from the sun.

Use sunscreen with an SPF 15 or more on both sunny and cloudy days as it protects against UVA and UVB rays. Make sure to apply enough sunscreen – about one ounce per sitting for a young adult.

Be sure to re-apply sunscreen for every two hours, before and after swimming.

Be extra conscious near water, sand and even snow; as they reflect UV rays very easily and it may result to sunburn more quickly.

Heat Stress in Infants

A little more care is needed for Infants and small kids under three; as they will not be able to regulate their body temperature in the same way the adults do. If we see every year, children die from heat strokes and for being left in a hot car, often unintentionally, though, the majority of these deaths occurring in children three and under.

Heat Stress in Children

The intensity of the activities that last 15 or more than that should be reduced whenever you feel high heat or humidity reach critical levels.

Before you do outdoor physical activities; drink freely and do not feel thirsty. For activities less than one hour, water alone is fine; however, always drink water or sports drink; before you start your physical exercise as this will help you to beat the heat and makes you active.

Wear light-colored and lightweight clothing that is limited to one layer and easily absorbent material to facilitate evaporation of sweat. Be sure you replace the sweat-saturated shirts by dry clothing.

If you have to go out for practices and games in the heat; then it be should be shortened and make sure that you take there more frequent water/hydration breaks. Children should be moved on time to cooler environments if they feel dizzy, lightheaded or nauseated.

Here are a few tips for parents when traveling in a car with less than three or above:

Be sure to check the back seat and always check all children are out of the car when you arrive your destination.

Keep away from distractions while driving; especially do not use a cell phone.

Be aware of kids in the car when you have any surprise change from the routine, i.e; especially when someone else is driving them in the morning, and you take a different route to work or child care.

Ensure that your childcare provider calls if your child has not arrived within 10 minutes of the expected arrival time, or in any emergencies.

As we are aware that the inside of a car can reach unsafe temperatures quickly, even when the outside temperature is not that hot. Never leave your child alone in a car, even if you expect to come back soon. Make sure you lock your car when it is parked so that the children cannot get in without supervision.

Pool Safety

Make sure that someone is there when your children are playing with water, and never leave them alone in or near the pool or a spa even for a moment without close supervision as this is the best way to prevent drowning in children.

Whenever children under age 3 are in or around water, an adult; preferably one who knows how to swim and perform CPR – should be within arm's length providing touch supervision.

Fit a fence at least 4 feet high around all the four sides of your pool. Be sure that there are no openings or protrusions that a young child could use to get over the fence.

The safest fence is one that covers all four sides of your pool and separates the pool from the house and yard. If your house serves as the fourth side of the fence, then make sure that you install an alarm on the exit door connecting the yard and the pool. For extra protection, install window guards on windows facing the pool.

Be sure that you prevent drowning; as drowning victims more frequently have to use the pet doors to gain access to pools. Keep all of your barriers and alarms in good condition and with fresh batteries.

Keep rescue equipment; such as a shepherd's hook, life preserver, and a portable telephone near the pool. So that it would be easy for you to save the victims. Make sure that the shepherd's hook and other rescue equipment are made of fiberglass or other materials that do not carry out electricity.

Boating Safety Tips

Make sure you wear life jackets all the time when on boats, docks or near bodies of water.

The life jacket you are wearing should fit you right, and its jacket should not be loose and should always be worn as instructed with all straps belted.

Adults should be warned of the dangers of boating; when under the influence of alcohol, drugs, and even some prescription medications.

Have a Safe Summer Time!!!!

As Americans have the July 4; so the French have July 14—Bastille Day. On July 14, 1789, an annoyed groups of Parisians stormed the Bastille, a stronghold, and prison in France where the prisoners of influence are held in hopes of capturing ammunition. Soon thereafter, the King Louis XVI and his wife Marie-Antoinette took shelter in Versailles as the violent peasants pillaged and burned châteaux, and destroyed all the records of feudal dues. This reaction is known as the grande-peur which means great fear.

For a peasant class, the Bastille stood as a symbol of the insincerity and corruption of the aristocratic government - controlled mostly by dignity and clergy. This significant event marked the entry of the popular class into the French Revolution.

The French recognized Bastille Day at the end of the monarchy and the beginning of the modern republic. The eternal significance of this event was in its recognition as power could be held by ordinary citizens, not in the king or in God.

This day is mostly celebrated by the Parisians, and July 14 is a national holiday with a grand military pageant up the Champs Elysées, colorful arts festivals, and with raucous parties marking the holiday.

What Do People Do?

You will find many people attending to the large military parade in Paris which starts in the morning of July 14. Many people attend large-scale public celebrations which include:

Military and Civilian Parades

Musical Performances

Communal Meals

Dances

Balls & Spectacular Fireworks Displays

You will also see service men and women from various units, including cadets from military schools, the French Foreign Legion and the French Navy who participate in the parade. The parade ends with the Paris Fire Brigade. Military aircraft fly over the parade route during the parade. The parade will be opened by the French president and reviews the troops and thousands of people line the route. The audience will spend the day quietly and eat a celebratory meal or plan for a picnic with family and close friends.

Public Life

As Bastille Day is a public holiday in France, you will find post offices, banks, and many businesses closed. Some restaurants and cafes outside of tourist areas may also be closed. However, bakeries and some stores in Paris, as well as at airports and railway stations and major highways are open.

If you look for public transport service then it schedules vary depending on where one lives and intends to travel. Roads in the centers of villages, towns, and cities particularly in Paris may be closed due to parades and for other large public events.

History

The Bastille is a medieval fortress and prison in Paris. Many people in France are linked to it with the harsh rule of the Bourbon monarchy in the late 1700s. On July 14, 1789, troops stormed the Bastille; this was a crucial event at the beginning of the French Revolution. Fête de la Fédération is a massive holiday held on July 14, 1790. This was a way to celebrate the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in France.

Official celebrations were held in Paris on June 30, 1878, to honor the Republic of France; but on July 14, 1879, more official celebrations were held as these included a military review in Longchamp near Paris and celebrations all over the country. An official named Benjamin Raspail projected that July 14 should become a holiday in France in 1880. The law was enacted on July 6, 1880. Bastille Day was a public holiday since July 14, 1880.

The military parade in Paris has been held every year since 1880, apart from World War II. The Free French Forces paraded on this date in London, England from 1940 until 1944. Jean Michel Jarre held a performance in Paris and attracted one million people, then the largest recorded crowd at an outdoor concert, in 1979. Special celebrations were held for the 200th anniversary of the French revolution in 1989. The French football team became world champions on July 12, 1998. This sparked celebrations throughout France on Bastille Day.

Bastille Day celebrations are held in French communities and the Institute de France around the world. Such events in the United States are held in New York City, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle. There are festivals of French culture in Franschhoek, South Africa, and Hungary.

Symbols

The Eiffel Tower in Paris and the French national flag, or tricolor, are important symbols of Bastille Day. The French national flag is one-and-a-half times as wide as it is tall. It consists of three vertical bands of equal width colored blue, white and red. The same colors are displayed in bunting and banners of many shapes on Bastille Day. People may also wear clothing or face paint in these colors.

The President, Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month in 1984, and since then the third Sunday of the month is celebrated as National Ice Cream Day. In some places people even celebrate it the complete month by eating Ice Creams. Ronald recognized ice cream as a fun and nourishing food that is enjoyed by over 90 percent of the nation's population. In the proclamation, President Reagan called for all people of the United States to observe these events with "appropriate ceremonies and activities."

The International Ice Cream Association (IICA) encourages the retailers and other consumers to celebrate July as National Ice Cream Month. About eleven percent of all the milk produced by United States dairy farmers will be used to produce ice cream, contributing appreciably to the economic well-being of the nation's dairy industry.

Interesting Facts on National Ice Cream Month:

It is in saying that Roman emperor Nero has invented the first ice desert when he ordered slaves to bring him ice from mountain tops so that he could enjoy it with honey and fruits.

In France ice cream became available since 1660. Myths suggest that Marco Polo brought the ice cream recipe from China and Catherine de Medici brought it to France. Catherine de Medici was an Italian noblewoman who married King Henry II, and became Queen of France.

National Ice Cream Month and National Ice Cream Day were first introduced by Joint Resolution 298 on May 17th, 1984. This resolution was sponsored by Kentucky Senator Walter Dee Huddleston.

The original Presidential Proclamation was issued by Ronald Reagan selected July 1984 as National Ice Cream Month and July 15th, 1984 as National Ice Cream Day.

Thomas Jefferson was a big fan of ice cream then and there was a special recipe for vanilla ice cream in the Library of Congress that was written by Thomas Jefferson's own hand.

In summers of 1790, President George Washington spent $700 on ice cream at Mount Vernon Martha Washington and served it to his guests.

Ice cream became popular in the United States following the American Revolution; and the first home ice cream maker was invented in 1843, by Nancy Johnson who lived in Philadelphia. It was a hand-crank machine.

In 1988, the largest ice cream sundae in history was created in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; and it weighed more than 24 tons.

The most popular ice cream flavor in Unites States is Vanilla; and it is the top selling flavors with more than 30% of sales in this particular months. Then come Chocolate ice cream. More ice cream is consumed in Long Beach, California than any other city in the United States.

Many US ice cream manufacturers have lined-up fun filled initiatives to help Americans perform their civic duty. Baskin Robbins has commemorated an event by launching four delicious polar pizzas and a donation program to support the United Service Organizations.

Ben & Jerry’s have different plans to celebrate the occasion. The company is planning to launch weekly flavors. Honoring July 4th, the company has splashed the event with Empower Mint, which is a delicious blend of peppermint ice cream with fudge brownies and fudge swirls. During the second week of July, customers have an option to choose from any of their four new dairy-free flavors that include Peanut Butter & Cookies, and a new version of their bestseller which is revamped, Chunky Monkey. Week 3 will bring Cookies and Cream Cheesecake, Brownie Batter, and Coconuts for Caramel. To wrap up the celebrations the company announced its customers who eat a scoop or two of a new or past favorite or “shaking” things up with a creamy milkshake.

There are other treats for the people who want to stay away from the ice cream or wish to celebrate the month without the added calories; may head to the nearest post office and seek out the collection of “Soda Fountain Favorites” which was released on June, 30. There is a booklet with 20 stamps features five delicious frozen treats — A double scoop ice cream cone, a root-beer float, a hot fudge sundae, a banana split, and an egg cream. Though the last options do not contain any ice cream, they will be more delicious.

Happy National Ice Cream Month!!!

On Monday, Americans will gather to celebrate Independence Day; which marks a massive historical event that signifies the countries origins.

What is it?

Independence Day in the United States is also known as Fourth of July and, July 4th. It is a most significant federal holiday in the United States since 1941. It celebrates the Declaration of Independence; adopted on July 4, 1776. If we go into history the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution (1775-83).

The thirteen colonies then fighting in the revolutionary struggle weighed a resolution and declared themselves to state and no longer be part of the British Empire, though the revolutionary war continued for some time after.

The Story behind It

The true United States of America was made up of a collection of East Coast states known as the Thirteen Colonies; these were: New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts Bay, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

These thirteen colonies were mainly agricultural colonies that run by the British — who had been present on the continent since 1587 - and broken for their resources, in particular to tobacco. The relationship between the settlers and British was once friendly; tensions began when the escalations over British laws and taxes such as the Sugar Act, driven by British financial needs. There was also a rising sense of nationalism in the country.

From 1765, some settlers started to demand ‘no taxation without representation’, and called for their voice to be heard in the British parliament. This worry sometimes erupted into fighting and acts of disagreeing, such as the Boston Tea Party in 1773. This is an event organized to protest against the Tea Act, legislation gave the British East India Company a control on sales of tea in these Thirteen Colonies.

Furthermore, the ailing feeling was caused by the Coercive Acts – which became known as the ‘Intolerable Acts’ to American Patriots. These Acts were implemented in response to the Boston Tea Party and the laws took power away from semi-autonomous Massachusetts.

In response to the above factors, the Continental Congresses held a meeting among the delegates from all the Thirteen Colonies. But, at the second meeting in 1775, a war of independence against Britain was declared.

The very next year, the Declaration of Independence was signed by the 56 representatives of thirteen self-styled states. (previously the Thirteen Colonies). The signatories included future president Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin. The disagreement continued until the 1783 Treaty of Paris, which ended the war in favor of an Independent America.

Early Fourth of July Celebrations

Since the 18th century, the general celebrations marked the day with fireworks, speeches, parties, feasts. In Bristol, Rhode Island, there was a salute of 13 gunshots in the morning and evening in 1777. This town was held to be the nation's longest running Independence Day celebration. In 1778, George Washington, then a general in the revolutionary army, issued his troops with a double rum ration.

There was a first recorded music commemorating independence called the ‘Pslam of Joy’, written by Johann Friedrich Peter in Salem, North Carolina. Many towns and cities across the Unites States have their own style of celebrating their annual celebrations.

How the government marked it?

The Congress made this day as an unpaid national holiday for federal workers in 1870, and in 1938 it became a paid holiday across the country. The Government officials take part in celebratory functions and make speeches.

How do people celebrate it today?

Fireworks and parties are the most well-known activities associated with Independence Day. All major cities have fireworks displays and you can also see one given by the White House. Being a national holiday, it also serves as an occasion for vacations and reunions.

Summer is a wonderful time to discover science outdoors with children. You don’t have to set up imaginary experiments outside. Just pick the properties of plants and leaves or by doing a bit of sinking and floating in the paddling pool is great simple science for little ones. Here are some of the best Summer Science ideas which make you enjoy all the summer.

Have Water Fun

Fill out a water balloon and find out if a filled water balloon sinks or floats. Pick some sponges and put them in water. You can play with them and water outside, by doing this you can learn about absorption.

You can also include a lot of water activities like; take a neat magic trick keeping a paper towel dry in water from Creative connections for Kids.

Try growing some vegetables and fruits. What can you grow? Is what you can grow well dependent on the climate where you live?

Weather

Do you think that we can observe air pressure, yes we can, but to do this we have to make a barometer and then we can find out using it?

You can also make a pinwheel and watch wind strength or how about a kite?

Or make a super simple rain gauge from a plastic bottle and see what happens.

Bubbles

That’s a cool play since my childhood, so of yours, I believe. Make some rainbow bubbles, and can you make a square bubble?

Sand

You can enjoy playing in the sand if you like messing up. We made a snow volcano, so it’s your turn now, can you make a sand volcano? This activity helps you learn about evaporation. Try making a perfect sandcastle. Set yourself up with a science lab in the garden and try out some dissolving.

Nature

Go out in summer and make exciting things. Find the tallest trees around your place and see how tall a tree is. Make a potion and find the best stick to stir.

You can try coloring Carnations of your Kitchen Counter Chronicles.

Grab some fresh rose petals from your garden and make rose petal perfume by mixing and scents and give a good brand name you like and try to explore it.

We have already included some other activities like bug collecting, Ice making, and musical instruments making using household things can also be included in this list. You can create your own creativity and make your favorite things and show it to your friends.

Since Science will mess you up little, take it outside to have an easy clean up.

Chemistry

Blowing-up Baggies

See what do you get when you mix baking soda and vinegar in a plastic baggie?

The bag will expand and pops-up. This science activity is best done outside.

Fizzy Coconut Lime Play Dough

Try this awesome activity, making fizzy dough is a soft and moldable, beyond that it fizzes and foams when you add an acid like vinegar. You can try this play inside or out but it is recommended to do outside because of the mess.

Frozen Vinegar

This is a cool Summer Science. Turn classic baking soda and vinegar play into a cool summer science activity with frozen vinegar.

Frozen Oobleck

Originally this activity is for outside; freezing the Oobleck changes its texture and behavior and adds a whole new level of fun.

Enjoy your summer!!

Some things you may have at home or might usually throw away. But you can make many interesting things with these throw away; and can recycle them to make great musical instruments that really work. After they're made, see what to do with them at bottom of page! Great Fun!!!

Drum Ideas

Things you need

Paper

Tape or glue

Cans - large coffee cans or any size

Any decorate paper

Crayons to color it up

Marker

Procedure to make a Drum

Cut a piece of paper and fit it around a Can with a plastic lid; you can use a large Coffee Can as it will work well or you can use any size of it. You can also use an empty plastic jug or wooden bowl turned upside down or metal pot. Once you fit the paper well you can decorate it using crayons & markers; or first you can make the paper look good with your designs and then fit it around the can using glue or a tape.

Bongo Drum

Cut a paper in two pieces and fit it around two cardboard oatmeal containers with lids. Now follow the same procedure to decorate the containers with a decorated paper or by making it unique with crayons and markers, and then attach the decorated paper around both containers with a tape or gum. Keep them aside to rest till the gum is all set and the containers are ready to use.

Now, set the containers side by side and tie them together using two long pieces of string or yarn. You need to tie one piece of string around the upper section of the container and the other around the lower section; then place a dab of glue under the string in multiple spots to make it hold in place. Now your Bongo drums are ready to play, Play your bongos by tapping on the tops with your fingertips.

Base Drum

This is going to be a very easy task, you just need to turn a cooking pan over and beat on the bottom of it with a wooden spoon.

Belt Drum

Collect a round box, such as a potato chip or an oatmeal box container. Now carefully make two small slits, about 2 inches apart just near the top of the box; and thread the box onto a child's belt or a shortened adult belt. And that way your belt drum is ready.

Once you are ready with your drums, it’s time for you to make drum sticks. Let’s look at simple ideas on how to make drum sticks.

Drum Stick Ideas

The best thing is to use your hands to tap on the drums, or a wooden spoon, a metal spoon, rubber spatula, whisk or a basting brush.

Take two unsharpened pencils with erasers and make drumsticks; or attach an empty thread spool on one end of the pencils and wrap a thick rubber band around one end of each pencil. Now it’s your turn to experiment with the variety of sounds and tones you can make.

Taping Ideas

Gather your friends while doing this activity and make all your friends tap together two wooden dowels. You can also put metal thimbles on each finger and tap them together. Or you can also use two metal or wooden spoons, two walnut shells, or two metal pot lids to tap.

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